14 Oct 2019 - Performance Report: Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund

By: Australian Fund Monitors

Report Date	14 October 2019
Manager	Kardinia Capital, a Bennelong boutique
Fund Name	Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund
Strategy	Equity Long/Short
Latest Return Date	September 2019
Latest Return	-0.35%
Latest 6 Months	2.56%
Latest 12 Months	-3.88%
Latest 24 Months (pa)	0.20%
Annualised Since Inception	9.04%
Inception Date	01 May 2006
FUM (millions)	AU$95.58
Fund Overview	The Fund consists of a concentrated long/short portfolio typically comprising 20 to 50 ASX300 listed stocks, generally with a long bias aligned to the overall market direction. On average since inception the Fund's exposure has averaged 40% net long. There is a slight bias to large cap stocks on the long side of the portfolio, although in a rising market the portfolio will tend to hold smaller caps, including resource stocks, more frequently. On the short side, the portfolio is particularly concentrated, with stock selection limited by both liquidity and the difficulty of borrowing stock in smaller cap companies. Short positions are only taken when there is a high conviction view on the specific stock. The Fund uses derivatives in a limited way, mainly selling short dated covered call options to generate additional income. These typically have less than 30 days to expiry, and are usually 5% to 10% out of the money. ASX SPI futures and index put options can be used to hedge the portfolio's overall net position. The Fund's discretionary investment strategy commences with a macro view of the economy and direction to establish the portfolio's desired market exposure. Following this detailed sector and company research is gathered from knowledge of the individual stocks in the Fund's universe, with widespread use of broker research. Company visits, presentations and discussions with management at CEO and CFO level are used wherever possible to assess management quality across a range of criteria. Detailed analysis of company valuations using financial statements and forecasts, particularly focusing on free cash flow, is conducted. Technical analysis is used to validate the Manager's fundamental research and valuations and to manage market timing. A significant portion of the Fund's overall performance can be attributed to the attention and importance given to the macro economic outlook and the ability and willingness to adjust the Fund's market risk.
Manager Comments	The Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund has returned +9.04% p.a. with an annualised volatility of 7.01%. By contrast, the ASX200 Accumulation Index has returned +6.41% p.a. with an annualised volatility of 13.14%. The Fund's Sortino ratio of 1.35 versus the Index's 0.29, average negative return of -1.37% versus the Index's -3.24% and down-capture ratio of 40.60% highlight the Fund's strong focus on protecting investor capital in falling markets over the long-term. The Fund returned -0.35% in September, with the short book dragging on performance. Top contributors included Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals (+25bp contribution), City Chic (+21bp), Westpac (+19bp), Nickel Mines (+17bp) and Independence Group (+17bp). Detractors included Appen (-16bp), Evolution (-15bp), Atlas Arteria (-14bp) and Charter Hall (-14bp). The largest detractor was the individual short book (-44bp), with Bellamy's the subject of a takeover bid and shorts in technology, oil and gold stocks impacting performance. Net equity market exposure was increased from 20.3% to 47.9% (51.5% long and 3.6% short), with the key changes being new positions in Boral, Corporate Travel, Cleanaway and Woodside Petroleum, increased weightings in Macquarie Group, James Hardie and Aristocrat, the closure of the Fund's short position in Share Price Index Futures, partially offset by the sale of Westpac and Telstra.
More Information	Fund Profile Manager's Report AFM Research Reports

Fund Monitors Pty Ltd

14 Oct 2019 - Performance Report: Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund